75 Ground Beef Recipes That Take the Guesswork Out of Dinner

You only need two things to make dinner from nothing: a package of ground beef, and a plan — and with our list of 75 easy ground beef dinner recipes, you’ve got the latter covered. Ground beef is easy to love by eaters of all ages (no fat or sinew to turn off kids), and the base for so many crowd-pleasing dinners, from burgers to meatballs, meatloaf to casseroles, pastas to tacos.

In addition, ground beef can feed a group inexpensively. You can count on one pound serving roughly four people, but that only stretches once you start supplementing with beans, grains or chopped mushrooms.

If you need a fast weeknight win, try one-pot pantry wonders, Quick Spicy Chili or Taco Soup, both done in around 30 minutes. If you need to feed a crowd, try Easy Lasagna, Cornbread Chili or Poke Bake, which all scale-up easily. In budget territory, try Sloppy Joes (the buns make them filling!) or Porcupine Meatballs (ditto, but rice!). Whether raw or cooked, ground beef freezes like a champ, so consider a cook-for-the-freezer dish like Swedish meatballs. And we’re chock-full of global ideas and regional favorites, too, like Kiymali Börek, Nigerian Meat Pies and Dirty Rice.

One note: You might be tempted to try a cooked-to-medium burger if the ground beef is high-quality and was ground in front of you by a butcher that same day; but your best bet is to make sure that ground beef is cooked through (to 160°F). Luckily, it gets there quickly!

Take this pasta, for example. It may sound odd to make a Bolognese sauce without tomatoes, but this white version is deep with flavor from aromatics and herbs, white wine, and a little garam masala, an Indian spice blend that mimics the spices used in Tuscany. Cream adds body and richness.

These are super classic and so simple to make. Use leftover rice or thawed frozen rice. For an easy variation, try shredded fontina or Gruyere cheese.

No tortillas required: this beef-and-bean packed soup has all the flavors of a taco, all in one pot. It's a great quick weeknight dinner for the whole family. If you really miss that taco shell crunch, sprinkle your bowl with some crushed tortilla chips.

Recipe developer Gabi Odebode says, "In Ghana, Nigeria and other West African countries we call these savory crescent-shaped pastries meat pies, though around the world they are also known as hand pies, empanadas and dumplings. Most of the time, we serve them as appetizers or a snack before lunch or dinner. In Nigeria, meat pie is made with ground beef, carrots and potatoes that are sauteed with herbs and spices and stuffed in a buttery dough pocket. My version is similar, but I use mixed vegetables like corn, peas, carrots and string beans (I love how the corn adds sweetness) and I omit potatoes, which can sometimes make a meat pie almost too filling for a snack or appetizer."

This is weeknight comfort food at its finest. We created a homemade sauce that is tangy and flavorful but also quick and easy. We used both ketchup and canned tomato sauce for lots of tomato-y zip and just a touch of brown sugar for a bit of sweetness and slight caramel finish. Green bell pepper is a key addition; it really enhances the other ingredients, elevating the flavor profile into the realm of a true sloppy joe.

Cooking meatloaf in a sheet pan cuts down the cooking time dramatically, making this a perfect weeknight dinner. Shaping it thin and flat ensures that you get enough sticky-sweet glaze in every bite.

This recipe is an update of the classic Salisbury steak. With additions like smoked paprika in the beef mix and lightly caramelized onions in the gravy, this version will be a new family favorite to enjoy with a side of mashed potatoes.

As in a classic diner cheeseburger, mustard tops the ground beef in this pizza, which bubbles with melted American cheese, fresh red onion and dill pickles. Serve it with shredded lettuce on the side to complete the burger experience and make this a "one-crust" meal that comes to the table in an hour flat.

Everyone loves lasagna. It’s perfect for feeding a big crowd and a hit at potlucks. But most people reserve it for a weekend cooking project since it can be time-consuming to construct. When the craving hits midweek, we’ve got you covered. This easy lasagna recipe has everything we love-- tender pasta, creamy ricotta and a rich tomato sauce—but it comes together in under an hour thanks to no-boil lasagna noodles and store-bought marinara. We zhuzh up the sauce with a glug of balsamic vinegar and a good swirl of butter, then a simple mix of ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan brings it all together. Bake it for a half hour and voila! Lasagna that’s welcome any night of the week.

Beef, raw rice, onion and Italian seasoning come together in this simple weeknight dinner of porcupine meatballs. Where'd the name come from? While the meatballs bake, the grains of rice pop out and look incredibly similar to porcupine quills. Simmer the meatballs in a quick homemade tomato sauce for a delicious, family-friendly dish.

The savory savory Turkish pastry known as börek can have many different fillings, including potatoes, cheese and ground meats. This version uses ground beef which, along with lamb, is a popular meat to use. Turks typically have börek with ayran (a yogurt drink) or tea, and it can be a breakfast, snack or part of a mezze platter. But take advantage of them as an a terrific appetizer, or even as a light main course. This coiled pastry is traditionally made with yufka dough, an unleavened wheat-flour dough that’s slightly thicker than phyllo sheets. Since yufka is not widely available, phyllo sheets are an excellent alternative and are used in this recipe.

Perfect for busy weeknights, this mash-up bake of hash browns, ground beef, canned tomatoes and green chiles, taco seasoning and gooey cheese can't be beat. It's the ultimate hands off meal. And since everything's tossed together right in the baking dish, there's very little cleanup. Simply garnish with your favorite taco toppings and dinner is served. If you're lucky enough to have leftovers, try wrapping them in a tortilla for a quick burrito.

Add a little beef, beer and chipotle, and you’ve got a deeply flavorful chili in no time. Chipotle chiles add smoky heat to this easy crowd pleaser. Top each bowl with sour cream, scallions and plenty of shredded cheese.

These hand-held bites have all of the classic flavors of a cheeseburger, wrapped up in crispy puff pastry and dipped in "special sauce." They're perfect to put out for a sports-loving crowd or at a potluck.

Ina Garten stuffs tender cabbage leaves with a hearty mixture of ground chuck, rice and tomatoes. The rolls slowly cook in a tomato sauce for a moist and flavorful inside. It’s a comforting all-in-one meal.

This classic Cajun dish pays homage to the Louisiana holy trinity (onions, bell peppers and celery). The finely chopped proteins give the rice its signature “dirty” look. Traditionally, dirty rice includes chicken liver—you can omit it, but don’t fear the liver! It adds another layer of texture and depth of flavor.

This Turkish classic of meatballs and potatoes in tomato sauce is perfect anytime as a simple dinner. There are different ways to make the dish: some people form the meatballs into small football shapes; others prefer patties. Some sear the meatballs before baking; others put them in the oven raw. We prefer forming patties because they look better when arranged with the potatoes and are easier to sear. And we like searing them because it locks in the juices, but you can do whatever you prefer.

These handheld meat pies consist of ground beef seasoned with Jamaican spices and encased in flaky yellow pastry. Typically, the beef is sautéed with aromatics and spices, such as Scotch bonnet pepper, allspice and Jamaican curry powder, that add incredible flavor and a little heat. Curry powder (and/or turmeric) is also incorporated into the dough, giving the pastry its telltale hue. Enjoy a patty on its own or with sweet coco bread for a traditional pairing.

The secret to these meatballs, made easier with the air fryer, lies in its tasty glaze. Swedish lingonberry jam, balsamic vinegar, and chili sauce are cooked down into sauce that is equal parts sweet, spiced, and sour.

Deep red chili fills holes that have been poked in cornbread to create meaty and sweet layers. Topped with the classic accompaniments of cheese, sour cream, jalapenos and scallions, and you've got an easy way to feed a crowd.

Alton seasons ground chuck with garlic and onion powder, ending up with miniature-sized burgers with great big flavor. Instead of shaping individual patties, he presses the beef into a thin sheet and cuts it into small squares. They cook on the griddle before getting sandwiched between soft buns and your choice of condiments.

Tender Swedish meatballs smothered in a velvety gravy may be the ultimate comfort food. The secret to making them extra juicy is using a panade, a mixture of starch and liquid that acts as a binder. Here, the torn bread absorbs the milk, then is distributed throughout the meat mix to ensure the meatballs stay moist and tender when cooked. Serve this classic version over mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles.

There’s no mystery meat here! Alton combines ground chuck and sirloin with spices, vegetables and crushed garlic croutons, which help bind the loaf while adding flavor. A glaze made with ketchup, cumin, Worcestershire and hot sauce gives it a sweet, tangy and lightly spicy finish.

Somewhere between a deconstructed meatloaf and an upside-down shepherd’s pie is this easy meal in a bowl. Fried onions are a fun crunchy topping, but a sprinkle of grated cheese would be a great option as well.

If you've ever been to Nebraska, you've probably had a handheld meat pie. These buttery palm-sized dough pockets encase a peppery browned beef, cabbage and onion filling. Great made ahead and heated for lunch, they'll fly off the table.

We've made this classic easier and faster by using the microwave to par-cook the peppers, saving you about 45 minutes of cook time! This is a great recipe to use up leftover rice. Be sure to really pile in the filling (mounding it is ok) as it will shrink as it cooks.

This easy one-pan meal is full of flavor, but kept light with lean ground beef, hearty mushrooms and calcium and fiber enriched pasta. A touch of paprika gives a rosy color to the lightly creamy sauce made with reduced fat sour cream and 1/3 less fat cream cheese.

This star of this meal is the barely tender basil that gets stirred into the umami-packed stir-fried beef after it has been taken off the heat. The basil adds a freshness with hints of anise that balance out the heavy soy flavor.

These bite-size, hand-held meatball cups are filled with gooey cheese and marinara. A mini muffin tin helps make the shape possible. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a wheat-free version.

There's nothing dainty about this salad. With mounds of chili-spiced beef and sharp cheddar cheese over a bed of crisp greens all doused with a chunky tomato lime dressing and topped with a shards of corn chips it has high-impact flavor and heartiness to satisfy even the biggest appetites.

Set aside some extra time one weekend to make a dozen of these calzones. Then pack your freezer full of them and know you've got healthy lunches or dinners for those hectic days covered.

Crisp, golden potato tots take the place of mashed potatoes in this otherwise traditional cottage pie. Baking the tots before adding to the top of the skillet ensures that they remain crisp after their second bake.

Forget mashed potatoes as a side dish and reinvent meatloaf with this spud-stuffed version. The potatoes are ready in no time, thanks to your microwave, and could easily become a weeknight go-to recipe all on their own.

You only need a handful of ingredients to make this hearty and delicious meatball soup, but the harissa and cumin are a must. They work together to give the soup its incredible flavor and aroma.

These enchiladas are loaded with ground beef, tomatoes, Cheddar, olives and raisins. The combination of salty olives and sweet raisins gives the savory filling its signature picadillo flavor, while Chinese five-spice powder adds a kick.

Calico beans (aka cowboy beans or trucker beans) get their name from the variety of bean colors in the dish. Here we use a trio of canned beans: white navy beans, deep red kidney beans and light brown pork and beans. They’re baked with bacon and ground beef in a tangy-sweet sauce until bubbling, resulting in the perfect summer side dish to accompany grilled meats. Calico beans are also great on their own as a main course, topped with shredded cheese and hot sauce.

Recipe developer Shadi Hasanzadenemati says, "Balkans and Southeast Asia. The word kofta comes from the Persian word koofteh, which means pounded meat. Kofta is typically made with ground meat such as lamb, beef or even chicken (although there are vegetarian and fish versions too), which is mixed with herbs and spices and shaped into balls or cylinders. I make my kofta using a combination of lamb and beef with warm spices such as cinnamon and allspice, then skewer and grill them for a nice smoky flavor."

This savory monkey bread breaks all the rules: instead of sticky and sweet, this pull-apart snack is filled with a cheesy burger mixture. A homemade special sauce is perfect for dipping.

Rachael Ray transforms classic meatloaf into individual muffins that are just as fun to serve as they are to eat. Salsa, Worcestershire sauce and grill seasoning flavor the beef, while barbecue sauce forms a sweet and tangy glaze.

Get ready for three intense layers of flavor over two varieties of tortilla chips. Ground sirloin pairs with beans and Southwestern spices for extra kick. Every scoop delivers the perfect mix of meaty, cheesy, spicy and crunchy.

Season beef with dried herbs, and simmer it low and slow with tomatoes until the flavors meld to perfection—for a classic dinner everyone will love. Spoon the rich sauce over your favorite pasta and save any leftovers for another night.

A flavorful blend of spinach, bulgur and lean ground beef fills these sweet red peppers, which are sprinkled with feta cheese and baked until tender. The peppers become tender and jammy sweet as they bake.

This crunchy, cheesy snack recipe is bound to win oohs and aahs at your next football party. Cutting the meaty open-face sandwich into two-inch pieces makes it fun and easy to eat, and your guests can even dip it in extra sauce. Baking the meatball mixture and garlic bread together not only makes quick work of this easy sandwich, it also results in juicy, tender meat and the crispiest, crunchiest garlic bread ever. Because this combo needs to spend a while in a very hot oven, it’s important to use a bread with a soft crust, such as an Italian- or Portuguese-style loaf, rather than a crusty French baguette that would bake up too hard. If you can’t find one long loaf, feel free to substitute two 9-inch sub or hoagie rolls.

Ellie Krieger infuses lean ground beef with Asian flavors plus water chestnuts and peanuts, creating a texture-rich accompaniment to crunchy lettuce. Top them off with scallions, red pepper and more crushed peanuts.

Have your golden, flaky crescent rolls and eat your cheeseburger too: This crowd-pleasing ring is filled with beef and all your favorite burger toppings — bacon, cheese, pickles and a special sauce. Each slice delivers buttery pastry wrapped around all the best parts of a bacon cheeseburger.

Save time with store-bought gnocchi and focus on this killer sauce made with vegetables, bacon and coarsely ground beef. The pillowy gnocchi serve as the perfect vessel to soak up plenty of the hearty sauce.

Think of beef burritos covered in a savory enchilada sauce, topped with cheese and baked to perfection. Instead of using corn tortillas (most commonly used in Mexico for enchiladas) we’re going with large flour tortillas to accommodate the generous bean, beef and cheese filling.

Finely chopped mushrooms and shredded provolone add moisture and flavor to this glazed meatloaf. The recipe calls for a mix of ground meat but feel free to use all beef if that's what you have on hand.

These double-decker burgers deliver mushrooms in two forms. Each beef patty is paired with a whole roasted portobello and topped with a creamy mushroom stroganoff sauce. Double of everything you love.

The classic meat-and-potato dish gets a lighter makeover with lean ground beef and cauliflower added to the creamy mash. The hearty and savory filling blends mushrooms, carrots, tomato paste and beef broth. A quick trip under the broiler gives the topping a golden finish.

Spice up taco night with crisp beef tostadas. Each shell is piled with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and sour cream, creating plenty of flavor and texture in every bite. Set out the toppings and let everyone build their own.

Beef sliders get a sweet upgrade on soft Hawaiian rolls, which are both kid- and adult-friendly. Add thin slices of grilled pineapple to complement the bread, if you like.

Give ground beef the stroganoff treatment by combining it with sauteed mushrooms and rich cream. Cook pasta right in the sauce for an easy one-pan dinner.

Alton makes homemade Parmesan-parsley biscuits for these comforting meatball sandwiches. Each biscuit is filled with a tender meatball, spaghetti sauce and provolone. They’re a playful, extra-buttery alternative to a traditional meatball sub.

This simple-yet-classic meatloaf recipe comes together with just 15 minutes' prep time. An easy weeknight dinner that feeds the whole family.

Melissa D'Arabian gives us her version of the ultimate meat and potatoes dish. She cooks ground beef in bacon fat to ensure all the meaty flavors come through a layer of cheesy, garlic-y mashed potatoes.

Rachael adds a sweet red bell pepper to her savory sloppy joes for a little something extra, along with lots of seasonings and tomatoes. Pile the mixture onto toasted rolls and prepare for a delicious mess.

Taco night is even better when you dress your meal up as these adorable crocodiles. It’s a playful meal that still delivers all the flavors of a classic beef taco. Sometimes you simply must play with your food!

Make a hearty pizza with this ground beef and collard green topping. The meaty topping may make even reluctant greens eaters reconsider. Eating your greens never tasted so good!

This self-serve meal lets kids load up open-faced quesadillas with their choice of toppings. For little kids: Let them assemble the quesadillas before baking. For big kids: Let them add the seasonings to the beef and help cut up the vegetables for the toppings.

Trisha Yearwood mixes ground beef, bacon, beans and barbecue sauce in this easy casserole that serves 12. Worcestershire and soy sauce add a tangy kick to the dish.

Made with garlic, herbs and equal parts ground beef and pork, Rachael's meatballs and sauce become perfect make-ahead spaghetti toppers. They get simmered in tomato sauce so they are extra moist and flavorful.